Fence-post.



A. E. ROBERTS.

FENCE POST.

(Application filed July 12, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Iii l,

Patented May l5, I900.

ri 71855; 5 5? igw UNiTn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. ROBERTS, OF NORWALK, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N 0. 6&9,756, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed July 12,1899. $erial No. 723,628. (No model.)

To roZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwalk, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a metal fence-post which is adapted to be secured in the ground without digging a posthole, which will thereafter retain its upright position, and which may be easily raised or lowered, if desired.

To this end the invention consists of a pcculiarly-constructed base adapted to be inserted in the ground and to remain in position therein, an upright standard or post sliding into said base, so that it may be raised or lowered therein, and an adjustably-secured brace which retains the post in position. The particular form of post which I have shown in the drawings is likewise inyinvention and is the best embodiment thereof at present known to me.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear of the post. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof; and Fig. 3 is aside elevation, partly sectional. Fig. at is a horizontal section above the base.

The standard, upright, or post proper (designated A) is a steel T-bar having means for supporting the running-wires of the fence, the means shown being integral stirrups a, which support and are bent back to clasp the running-wires which extend along parallel with the face of the bar.

The base includes, first, the angle'plate B, which is preferably of a piece of rolled angle-iron beveled to an edge Z) at its lower end; second, a steadying-bar 0, extending from each side of the angle-bar and having its intermediate part bent into contact therewith, and, third, a foot-plate D, preferably of malleable iron. This foot is composed integrally of a top plate 61, a vertical web d, and downwardly-extending ears or webs (Z at the same angle as the an gle-plate B, and vertical webs (Z parallel with the face of the post and connecting the webs (Z and (Z Bolts E pass through the ears (1 through the steady ing-bar O and the angle-bar B and engage nuts c on their front ends.

The standard A is vertically slidable with-= in the base, its web or tongue to taking into a groove or notch (Z in the top plate or web of the foot, whereby it is closely guided within the foot. The T -flanges are clamped, es sentially, between the foot and the angle-bar B. These flanges preferably contact imme diately with the steadying-bar C, co1nprehended between the foot and angle-bar; but the clamping is caused by the bolts E and nuts 6 drawing the angle-bar and foot together, and such clamping would still be accomplished if the steadying-bar were con solidated with the angle-bar or omitted alto gether. This clamping is tight enough to hold the standard against ordinary strains; but it may be driven down or elevated,whereby it is adjustable as desired.

F represents a brace or backstay which has its lower end hooked to take into the hole (1 in the foot and its upper end to take into any one of the series of holes a in the web of the standard. The hook at the lower end is made by bending the brace into position, which will when the brace is in position be first parallel with the foot, as at f, then parallel with the main part of the brace, as at f and finally again parallel with the foot, as at f Thus when the brace is to be inserted in position it is simply tipped backward and the end f in" sorted through the hole 01 and then the brace is swung forward and comes into the position shown in the drawings. The portions f lie, respectively, in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the plate (1 of the foot. The hook f of the upper end is then inserted in one of the holes a and the post is locked in posi tion.

A post constructed in this manner is very easy to insert in the ground, will retain its upright position against strains in any direction, and should the level of the land be changedby plowing, for example-it may be raised or lowered correspondingly.

Having described my invention, 1 claim 1. In afence-post, in combination, an an glo-= plate 13, abar C contacting therewith and ex tending each side thereof, a foot D, bolts pass in g through the foot, the bar 0 and the an gleplate, an upright post between the foot and the bar 0, substantially as described.

2. In a fence post, in combination, an angleplate B, a bar 0 bent to contact therewith, a foot D, bolts passing through the foot, the bar 0 and the angle-plate, an upright post between the foot and the bar 0, and a brace F connected at one end with the foot and at the other end with the upright post, substantially as described.

3. In a fence-post, in combination, an angleplate B, a foot D, bolts clamping the foot and angle-plate, an upright post between the foot and angle-plate and a brace F connecting the foot and the upright, the lower end of said brace being bent to lie on top of the foot, to pass through a hole therein and having its extreme tip turned up beneath the foot to form aclenohing-toe, substantially as described.

4. In a fence-post, in combination, an upright post having a face-plate and a Web, a foot having a groove in which said web takes, and a plate to which said foot is secured and which lies on the other side of the upright whereby said post is held between the foot and said plate, and a brace-rod engaging the foot and having its upper end hooking into a hole in said web, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT E. ROBERTS.

Vitnesses:

E. L. THURSTON, PHILIP E. KNoWLToN. 

